James Arthur Fields, Jr.
Email: pgc2006@vatemplars.com
Right Eminent Grand Commander
2006-2007
Jim was born in Page County on October the 9th, 1941, in what is called Rinaker’s Corner across the river from Shenandoah, on the Batman home place. His parents, the late James Arthur Fields, Sr. (born in Russell County) and Mary Magdalene Batman (born in Page County), his brothers, (Charles Virgil, William Carson) and a sister (Peggy Jean Fields Davis) moved to Waynesboro where he lived and attended elementary school. When Jim was in the 8th grade, his family moved to Albemarle County where he attended and graduated from Albemarle High School.
He joined the United States Marine Corps upon graduation and received his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and advanced infantry training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. After completing advanced infantry training, Jim received sea duty traming at Sea School in Portsmouth. He was stationed aboard the USS Enterprise (CVAN 65), a nuclear carrier. While aboard, he had two Mediterranean tours and one tour that, along with two other nuclear ships, circumnavigated the World. The tour was called Operation Sea Orbit as part of Nuclear Task Force One.
The Enterprise crossed the Equator four (4) times and the International Date Line once: In Navy language, Jim is a Knight in the Order of the Golden Dragon as opposed to a Pollywog. After serving approximately two years aboard the ship, Jim was transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to complete his military duty, being discharged in 1966.
In 1962, Jim married Helen Duncan (born in Nelson County). They had two children, James Steven and Paula Elizabeth who have given Jim and Helen three grandchildren, Paige and Zachary Engleman and Hannah Fields
In 1974, Jim graduated from Madison College, (now James Madison University) with a BS in Accounting.
He was active in the Waynesboro Jaycees and was recognized by receiving the Jaycee of the month, Director of the month, Jaycee of the year and finally receiving the most honored recognition as the Keymanz of the Year, 1977. Jim also received from the United States Jaycees the Spark Plug and the Spoke awards for his service to the community…
Jim worked at several businesses after discharge. The last business Jim worked for was E.I. Dupont in Waynesboro from which he retired in 2002 after 27 years of service. During his service, he was selected to go to Ireland to train their employees on precision equipment. Jim served the Dupont Credit Union as a Supervisory committeeman and twenty plus years on the Board of Directors as a volunteer; twelve of these years holding the position of Chairman of the Board. He also was a financial advisor for the Junior Achievement Program for a couple of years. He served as Co-chairman of the United Way Campaign 1988. He also served fifteen plus years on the DuPont fire brigade as a first responder, first aid crew and as member of the hazardous materials response team.
Jim served as President of the 12-13 Year-Old Babe Ruth Baseball Little League. 1981-82. The team won the State title that year, and went to Florida to participate in regional games, the first time in thirty years.
Jim and Helen have attended First Baptist Church in Waynesboro for forty years, where he serves as usher and on the Mens’ Cooking Team. His favorite past time is being “Grandfather” to Paige, Zachary and Hannah, and supporting Helen and daughter Paula in their musical aspirations. as well as traveling to visit his son, Steve, who lives in Connecticut.
Masonic Affiliations
Symbolic Lodges
Lee Lodge #209 – Mother Lodge – Raised 1986
Past Master – 1993
Past District Deputy Master – 2001
Life Member
Staunton Lodge #13
Treasurer
Life Member
Mason’s Hall Lodge 1785 A.F. & A.M.
Charter Member of Mason’s Hall Lodge 1785
Certificate #400
Royal Arch Chapter
Exalted Waynesboro Royal Arch Chapter #71
Royal Arch Chapter #71 and Staunton Union #2 merged and now Waynesboro Union #2
Past High Priest
Past District Deputy Grand High Priest Super Excellent Master- conferred by Ionic Council #19 Ashville, N.C.
Life Member and Charter Member of Kent’s Store Royal Arch Chapter #86
Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Virginia
Elected Grand Master of the First Veil, Nov. 2005
Holder of the John Dove Metal
Knights Templar
Stevenson Commandery #8 – Mother Commandery
Recorder
Past Commander
Past Distriet Deputy Grand Commander
Recipient of the Knight Commander of the Temple Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America
Life Member
Moomaw Commandery #27
Life Member
Other Masonic Organizations
Commonwealth College #50 – York Rite Sovereign College of North America
Past Governor
Recipient of the Order of the Purple Cross
Life Member
Rose of Sharon Priory No. 2
Recipient of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor (KYCH)
Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor
Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests – Garden of Gethsemane Tabernacle #2
King Darius Council #17 – Knight Masons
Life Member
St. Cornelius the Centurion, Red Cross of Constantine, Roanoke, VA.
Allied Masonic Degrees (AMD) – Valley Council #56
Past Sovereign Master
Scottish Rite Valley of Richmond
Acca Shriners of Richmond, VA.
Hillbilly Clan #17, Waynesboro, VA.
